Hodges Figgis

Hodges Figgis is a bookshop located on Dawson Street in Dublin. Founded in 1768, it is given a passing mention in James Joyce's modernist novel Ulysses.[1]

The sign outside Hodges Figgis
Approaching Hodges Figgis from Trinity College, University of Dublin

The shop briefly housed a coffee shop on the first floor, but this was removed in 2002 during renovations to expand the space used for the shelving of stock. Hodges Figgis also operate the student bookshop in Dublin City University.[2]

For some time in the late 19th and in the 20th century, the company also published a number of books, often on Irish topics.

Hodges Figgis is now owned by Waterstones,[3] and operates as an integral part of the group, with the exception of operating its own loyalty stamp scheme instead of the Waterstones Plus card.

It was the second highest performing store in the chain in 2015[4] and 2018[5] only outstripped by Waterstones flagship store in Piccadilly.

Waterstones do operate a limited number of other stores in Ireland; but closed their other Dublin stores - which included one directly opposite Hodges Figgis - in 2011. [6]

It has been mentioned in The Wall Street Journal as well as popular works of fiction like "Conversations with Friends".[7]

References
  1. Joyce, James (1922). "Ulysses". Project Gutenberg.
  2. "Information - Bookshop". Dublin City University. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  3. "Waterstones buys Foyles bookshops in bid to fight back against Amazon". The Independent. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  4. "Hodges & Figgis leads Waterstones recovery". independent. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  5. Deegan, Gordon. "Hodges Figgis store in Dublin second-best performer in Waterstones group". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  6. Lynch, Suzanne. "Waterstone's to close two Dublin stores". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  7. Marcus, J. S. (31 May 2012). "Literature's Happy Hunting Ground: Dublin Trades the Celtic Tiger for the Celtic Bookworm, Relaunching the City as a Literary Capital". The Wall Street Journal.

The heart's invisible furies by John Boyne

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